Detection of β-lactamases among Multi-drug Resistant Enterobacteriaceae Colonising Gut of Normal Adults and Patient Population

Abstract

Background and aims Antibiotic resistance is a growing threat in the medical field and the Enterobacteriaceae leading commensals in the gut are more likely to develop resistance. In this study we aimed to compare the anti-microbial resistance pattern with a special reference to beta-lactamase producers in Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae as normal flora and pathogens.Methods A total of 120 bacterial strains of E. coli and Klebsiella were tested for antibiotic sensitivity by Kirby Bauer Disk diffusion method. Multi-drug resistant MDR bacteria were identified and phenotypically classified based on beta lactamase production into ESBL Extended Spectrum beta Lactamase AmpC beta Lactamase and MBL Metallo beta Lactamase respectively.Results Ampicillin resistance was the highest in both categories showing rates of 34 56 and 50 83.3 in normal and pathogenic strains respectively. Cefotaxime was a close second with resistance rates of 25 41.6 and 37 61.6. Imipenem showed the lowest resistance rates of 7 11.6 and 4 6.60 in normal and pathogenic strains. Pathogenic and normal strains showed an MDR rate of 51.6 and 40.5 respectively. ESBL production was observed in 1.6 P 41.6 N AmpC was 31.6 P 20 N and MBL was detected in 25 P 16.6 N.Conclusion The study revealed an alarming rate of beta lactamase-producing MDR commensals in the region. The narrow gap between the hospitalized and healthy individuals in resistance rates was a proof of rapid transmission of resistance genes signifying the need for screening even the normal population for antibiotic resistance patterns.